[opendtv] Re: FCC Commissioners disagree on media cross-ownership rules
- From: "John Willkie" <johnwillkie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:07:44 -0800
Just another example of how you can get data from the FCC web site, but not
necessarily information to inform yourself, particularly on things before
the dawn of Internet bits.
"UHF Discount" is concept from this decade. It's not the rule to which John
or I referred to; it's a concept used to help expand the ownership cap.
The FCC's mixture/deintermixture/mixture 'fiasco' ended about 1963. They
were attempting to spur development of UHF stations. Their UHF policies
flowed forth from that period. (Where is Ed Ellers when we need him?)
They ended up permitting UHFs to use more power, and by the mid-1970's,
permitting UHF/newspaper cross-ownership. The "UHF Discount" is in the same
thread, but about four decades on.
The ownership cap in this era was 7(5/2)/7/7. You could own seven tv
stations, but no more than 5 could be VHF. You could also own seven am
stations, and seven FM. It limited the reach of the networks. 7(5/2) was
later changed to 7 in any band. IIRC, that came from the final report and
order in MM Dkt 78-252, issued in the waning days of the Carter
Administration. It's commonly known as 'VHF drop ins.' However, the rule
could have come in a few years later. I'd have to resort to paper to refresh
my memory.
It's been replaced by rules that permit one to own more than three (one am,
one fm and one tv) in the same market.
Were I to actually look for the rule, I'd look in part 73.7000 and higher.
But, I don't need to at this point, because the details aren't something I
need to navigate.
John Willkie, who can do this stuff in his sleep, and who not only knew the
last FCC word and the court decision, but the early words. (Bakersfield, CA
was one of the few UHF-only markets.)
-----Mensaje original-----
De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En
nombre de Manfredi, Albert E
Enviado el: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 3:48 PM
Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: [opendtv] Re: FCC Commissioners disagree on media cross-ownership
rules
John Shutt wrote:
> I wonder if the UHF rule will apply post analog shut-off to a
> VHF station that has a final ATSC assignment in the UHF band?
The reason for that rule had to do with propagation qualities of VHF vs
UHF, but who knows. The VHF digital stations seem to be at such low
power levels that one wonders.
I think this is the last word from the FCC on the UHF discount question:
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